Friday, February 22, 2013

Rachel Weisz and Shakespeare

Should Rachel Weisz do some Shakespeare?Yes, absolutely!

It is strange that she has not done any yet. She has done quite a bit of theatre, she even co-founded a theatrical company while she was at Cambridge, but no Shakespeare!I can imagine her in any number of roles -- as Ophelia, Cordelia, Portia, Lady Macbeth, Cleopatra.

She has had a remarkable career on film -- having acted in everything from suspense, to action, to political drama. I thought she was fantastic in Agora. She was excellent in The Constant Gardner with Ralph Fiennes, and really deserved the Academy Award for her role.She is so versatile that she could really do any role.

Should she do some Solved Shakespeare?She would be perfect -- and I can easily imagine her in the Elizabethan world.She could just as easily play a member of the royal court -- one of Queen Elizabeth's ladies-in-waiting -- as she could play a commoner citizen in Elizabeth's London.What about Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare's wife? I think Rachel Weisz would be great as the woman who stood behind Shakespeare through very good times and very bad times, and inspired him to become the greatest playwright in history.As I did research for my versions of Hamlet, Richard III and The Merchant of Venice, I came to the conclusion that Shakespeare could not have done what he did without his wife Anne.Rachel Weisz has played some glamourous roles, but I think she could really bring this woman to life, a simple woman who lived during one of the most tumultuous periods in English history, and who was loved by one of the most extraordinary men in history.

Unlike some, I think William and Anne loved each other -- truly and deeply.We have not seen that story on screen. I would like to see it.And I think that Rachel Weisz can bring that to life, and would really do it justice.What do you think?If you agree with me that she should do some Shakespeare, please show your support on facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus or Tumblr.Your support will really make a difference!And your comments are always welcome!Cheers,David B. Schajer